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Table of Contents
About The Book
“A whimsical, fantastical romp of a historical romance.” —Emily Krempholtz, USA TODAY bestselling author
Chemistry isn’t only for cocktails in this lightly magical, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about the owner of a speakeasy supplying magical drinks and an enforcer of the ban on magic who must team up when potions begin to go awry—from acclaimed author Martha Waters.
In an alternate version of 1920s London, vestiges of England’s magical past exist, but the use of magic has been outlawed, leading families still with powers to operate illegal speakeasies for a public still hungry for magic. Vesper Holloway runs her family club, where a dash of spell powder or an enchanted cocktail can add a little extra intrigue to the evening. But when a spate of accidents strikes these establishments, she worries patrons will flee her family’s business.
Enter Maxwell Ashbridge, a onetime friend of Vesper’s brother, who has joined the government agency tasked with enforcing the ban, and who has a personal vendetta against the magical elite. But he does not have a vendetta against Vesper; in fact, he finds her rather enticing. He promises immunity for her club if she teams up with him to investigate, which does little to quell the growing chemistry they share. As accidents continue and the fight to repeal the ban gains ground in Parliament, Vesper and Max will have to decide—is the magic between them worth fighting for?
Chemistry isn’t only for cocktails in this lightly magical, enemies-to-lovers rom-com about the owner of a speakeasy supplying magical drinks and an enforcer of the ban on magic who must team up when potions begin to go awry—from acclaimed author Martha Waters.
In an alternate version of 1920s London, vestiges of England’s magical past exist, but the use of magic has been outlawed, leading families still with powers to operate illegal speakeasies for a public still hungry for magic. Vesper Holloway runs her family club, where a dash of spell powder or an enchanted cocktail can add a little extra intrigue to the evening. But when a spate of accidents strikes these establishments, she worries patrons will flee her family’s business.
Enter Maxwell Ashbridge, a onetime friend of Vesper’s brother, who has joined the government agency tasked with enforcing the ban, and who has a personal vendetta against the magical elite. But he does not have a vendetta against Vesper; in fact, he finds her rather enticing. He promises immunity for her club if she teams up with him to investigate, which does little to quell the growing chemistry they share. As accidents continue and the fight to repeal the ban gains ground in Parliament, Vesper and Max will have to decide—is the magic between them worth fighting for?
About The Author
Photograph by Lannis Waters
Martha Waters is the author of And Then There Was the One, Christmas Is All Around, and the Regency Vows series, which includes To Have and to Hoax, To Love and to Loathe, To Marry and to Meddle, To Swoon and to Spar, and To Woo and to Wed. Originally from South Florida, she is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently lives in London.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atria Books (October 13, 2026)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668215241
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Raves and Reviews
“Waters makes clever use of her 1920s London setting with a Prohibition-style ban on magic effectively paired with a deliciously fanciful plot, a flawlessly crafted cast of characters, and her effervescent sense of comic timing. Spellstruck is proof positive that Waters possesses her own brand of literary magic as potent as anything served up at Holloways.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“[S]tylish… [this] simmering, opposites attract romance allures, as does the supernaturally tinged Jazz Age scene-setting. Waters fans are sure to be entranced.”
—Publishers Weekly
"Waters (“Regency Vows” series) adds some magic to her historical romance with a fun romp as fizzy as the champagne Vesper prefers."
—Library Journal
“There’s nothing Martha Waters can’t write! Her magical rom-com, Spellstruck is filled with sharp banter and an effervescent charm as captivating as the alternate 1920s London she’s crafted so brilliantly.”
—Liana De la Rosa, USA Today bestselling author
“Spellstruck is absolutely magical! This romance is an addictive potion made from Martha Waters’s trademark banter, wit, and humor with the addition of a captivating mystery and a fascinating magical system. I cannot think of anything more enticing to a romance reader than this mix of alternate history, mystery, and a scorching slow-burn romance!”
—Elizabeth Everett, author of Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel
“Effortlessly charming and laced with intrigue, this is magical escapism at its most addictive.”
—Tricia O'Malley, New York Times bestselling author of Love's a Witch
"You know when you find yourself laughing on page one, you're in for a great read. But I already knew I would be with Spellstruck, because Martha Waters is such a reliably entertaining author. This historical fantasy romance, set in an alt 1920s London with magical speakeasies, features all the clever, charming wit and vivid characteristics I love her books for. It's fun, fabulous, and sparkles with magic of both the alchemic and romantic kind. Waters's fans (who definitely include me) will adore it!"
—India Holton, USA Today bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
"Spellstruck is a delicious, bubbly cocktail of romance, mystery, and charming characters. Prepare to be completely enchanted by Vesper, Max, and the elegant glitz of London's magical speakeasies in this whimsical, fantastical romp of a historical romance. I loved this book!"
—Emily Krempholtz, USA Today bestselling author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
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